Gladiators star had forgotten EastEnders role alongside Phil Mitchell before Hollywood fame
EXCLUSIVE: Gladiators icon Rhino is best known for appearing on the hit 90s gameshow but after it ended, it made the move to acting and landed a role in EastEnders
Gladiators star Rhino starred in EastEnders in scenes opposite soap icon Steve McFadden.
Rhino, real name Mark Smith, rose to fame when he became one of the Gladiators on the hit 90s gameshow. Joining in 1995, he remained until the show’s cancellation in January 2000.
After Gladiators ended, Mark turned his talents to acting. The 54-year-old has starred in a number of hit films, including Batman Begins, Creed and Angel Has Fallen.
One of his more surprising roles came in 2005, when he landed the part of Johnson in EastEnders. Mark appeared in five episodes and his scenes were heavily based around Phil Mitchell.
“You watch it on TV then the next thing you’re in the garage with Phil, on the set with everyone you’ve watched since you were a kid.” The bodybuilder has worked alongside a number of Hollywood stars, but this still remains one of his most “surreal moments”.
He added: “That was surreal, it was a moment. Steve was really cool, everyone was really nice.” Mark has had countless memorable moments in his career, but one that sticks out came in 1997 when he was lucky enough to meet the late Queen Elizabeth.
“I was extremely lucky to meet the Queen,” he said. “My Grandad was really proud.” After taking part in the world tournament for Gladiators in 1997, Mark was asked whether he would like to be introduced to her majesty.
During their interaction, the Queen couldn’t resist making a remark about his impressive physique.. He said: “I remember curtseying. She said it was lovely to meet you and she said you have an incredible physique.”
Opening up about becoming a late arrival on the series, Mark admitted he was greeted with a warm welcome. “They welcomed me very much with open arms,” he recalled. “They’d all been through the process so they were all very nice and very kind, they showed me a lot of love and we became a family.”
